On October 31st 1999 EgyptAir Flight 990 struck the ocean with the loss of all on board.

The end of the NTSB's final summary reads thusly

"The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the EgyptAir flight 990 accident is the airplane's departure from normal cruise flight and subsequent impact with the Atlantic Ocean as a result of the relief first officer's flight control inputs. The reason for the relief first officer's actions was not determined."

There was a lot of wrangling and arguing between the various government agencies as well as with the foreign investigators over the meaning, context and translation of “Twakalt ala Allah” - “I rely on God”

I believe he explained his actions by uttering Allahu Akhbar a few times as the plane spiraled in.

Partially explained.

Here's what I think happened. Several Orthodox Jews were known to have been on the flight. My guess is that Batouti was seated near them and became aware of them. Then all that good Religion of Peace Teaching kicked in, he went up to the cockpit, pulled rank, and killed the infidels in the glorious name of Allah.

You know it is interesting you say that. So many times when people talk about the inspiration for the 9-11 attacks they will bring up Ramzi and Bojinka..which of course was not a hijacking/kamikaze plot but an explosives plot. I have to think that given the year this occurred, that Bin Laden must have been inspired by what was clearly a Muslim intentionally crashing a plane while reciting all of the religious phrases that were uttered. I do think that this was where the plot began.

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.